The dangerous disease that once made the former US president George HWBush miserable – Life Health

George HW Bush, the 41st president of the United States, has been diagnosed with a rare disease known as vascular Parkinson’s, which is usually caused by small strokes that damage brain structures.

Vascular Parkinson’s can lead to involuntary behaviors – not entirely within the patient’s control or will.

Vascular Parkinson’s disease can be caused by abnormalities in the myelin sheath, the white coating on brain cells called “white matter”. In young people, multiple sclerosis can also affect this cortex, slowing and disrupting brain signaling.

Along with that, former German chancellor Adolf Hitler also developed Parkinson’s symptoms in 1934, when he was 45 years old. He may have had transient symptoms in 1923, when he was only 34 years old.

Hitler lost his eyesight. In addition, he suffered from facial spasms, pallor, and sleep disturbances, which are more related to Parkinson’s disease than essential tremor.

Researchers suggest that the disease influenced Hitler’s social behavior, his obsessive compulsions, his ruthlessness, and his tantrums. The influence of Parkinson’s disease on Hitler’s behavior during the Second World War was the subject of much discussion.

What is Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease is an age-related disease and disorder of brain cells that affects movement, loss of muscle control and balance. Usually, the first symptoms include tremors (hands, feet, or legs).

How does Parkinson’s disease progress?

Most people develop Parkinson’s disease after age 60 (although some like Michael J. Fox find the disease as early as 30 and boxer Muhammad Ali at 42). Men are about 1.5 times more likely to get this disease than women.

In general, the disease progresses slowly with more pronounced symptoms developing over many years. Treatments can relieve symptoms in many patients.

Early signs of Parkinson’s disease

The three main symptoms that develop early in Parkinson’s disease are tremors, often on one side of the body (hand, foot, arm, or other body part) when the person is at rest.

The second symptom is stiffness, or difficulty moving, and pain when moving from a sitting to a standing position.

The third symptom is called cerebral dyskinesia. This symptom is manifested by shrinking of handwriting (micrographia) and reduced facial expression (the person usually just has a melancholy or serious expression in most cases).

Symptoms other than movement

The following are symptoms that some patients with Parkinson’s disease may experience as the disease progresses:

– Difficulty sleeping and tired

– Oily skin and lots of dandruff

– Voice change (voice softening, slurred speech)

– Constipation

– Having problems swallowing

Mental changes (amnesia, confusion, dementia, hallucinations)

Diagnosis of Parkinson’s

The diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease is best made by a specialist such as a neurologist. Most diagnoses are assumed by a doctor by confirming the initial symptoms listed above and excluding other conditions that may produce similar symptoms such as a tumor or stroke.

The main points the doctor will look for are tremors at rest and stiffness (involuntary) when moving the extremities. Your doctor will usually test your response to an unexpected pull from behind, followed by a balance test.

The diagnosis of the disease is made by a specific biopsy of the brain tissue. Other tests (CT scan, MRI) may be used to help your doctor distinguish between Parkinson’s disease and other medical problems such as stroke or brain tumor.